Video posted to Internet April 1st is Flyover Video ( Drone?) taken March24th, and has not been shown on Media that I am aware. 6 Minutes long, but first two minutes clearly show damage to Reactors 3 and 4 and also steam rising ,it shows the extensive damage. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Via AP : Updates from March 25th where Core Reactor Breach and Increased Radiation Levels are discussed

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~People seeing those photos might wonder if Cement is being considered. ( Anyone who remembers Chernobyl is silently asking that question).

These Charts, Graphs are an attempt to date the Explosions, Hydrogen Releases, Steam and Smoke in Photos and Videos, very difficult as TEPCO has lacked transparency. ( Will also add JAIF, NISA and IAEA links to try to put together better timelines).*****************************************************

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

As week 3 of the Japan Disaster unfolds, there are over 500,000 still in shelters, this includes the radiation evacuees. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Japanese have much to cope with still...extensive losses of homes and life due to the Tusnami and the quake especially along the coast, and the growing nuclear disaster...~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ENIGMA NOTE::: For the most part I have been posting information, research on FB and on Twitter during the past 18 days. I will be honest, the situation has been very fluid, and for the first time blogging or tracking any Disaster, I have been overwhelmed, just trying to keep up on reading and sharing resources.In many years of tracking and blogging disasters, it is one thing to try to document and share information on a Humanitarian disaster, but this is my first time covering a Nuclear disaster, so please know I am trying to locate timely accurate information. So most of the detailed data has been consistently posted on Twitter. I am grateful that I have studied radioactive waste and fallout for 10 years, but saddened to now blog on it... My Handle there on Twitter is @watergatesummer, so I encourage you follow me there. For now I will try to post Once/Day updates here.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Photo above is back view of Smoking Steaming Fukushima Reactors. As this crisis has deepened, it is apparent that 4 of the 6 Reactors are in Continuing Critical Condition, with rising concerns about the Core Safety as well as Spent Fuel Rods exposure. Timely accurate data has been difficult to obtain due to transparency issues , especially with TEPCO. It is day 19 and 17 US States have reported some fallout data from this disaster, and many are concerned for our country and Japan. America has sent teams to Japan and our Navy has been trying to help them as well. As of today Japan's government is seeking outside expertise and help as this situation has reached dire proportions. Even in Japan people there have been worried their own government was not telling them enough. ( The government has been coping with 500,000 in shelters and much damage due to the 9,0 Quake and the Tsunami as well as rescue and recovery missions,but the nuclear disaster has unfolded with transparency issues for those there as well as here). At this point there are questions as to the true conditions at the plant, especially regarding the Mistreatment of the Workers that has come to light in past 24 hours and concerning soil and sea water samples. As well as continuing questions regarding the actual damage, including Core Damage, and condition of all the Fuel Rods especially in Reactors 1 through 4.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ From abc,net -down under media source, please do read the latest as of 3.30.11. See Snippet Below:"As Japan works to contain the world's worst nuclear disaster since Chernobyl in 1986, the level of radioactive iodine in the sea off the stricken nuclear plant has reached its highest reading yet - more than 3,300 times the legal limit.The Japan government is now considering plans to drape shattered nuclear reactor buildings with special covers to limit radiation and pump contaminated water into a tanker.

The embattled nation is also inviting foreign experts to help stabilise the overheating Fukushima station.The United States has lent Japan robots that can crawl through, film and clear rubble in the blast-hit reactor buildings which humans cannot enter because of high radiation.And France, which relies on nuclear power for three-quarters of its domestic energy needs, was sending an expert team from Areva, its state-run reactor maker, to assist TEPCO.An official with Japan's nuclear safety agency said it was time to think outside the box.

Friday, March 11, 2011

Amazing footage of buildings in Shinjuku swaying in Tokyo. This technology saved many lives. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~8.9 Quake at 2:46PM Friday Afternoon Japan time. ( as of this afternoon now some Cal tech scientists are saying quake is 9.1 ?) Huge quake, 81 miles from coastline, 15 miles deep.Many aftershocks, many over 5.5 to 7.4. ( Now Nagano near NW Coast-on seperate faultline has 6.6 quake). Will update this later.....Do give to International Red Cross, there will be much need. ( Japanese Leaders already recognize and have asked for International Aid).There has been much that has happened in the first 36 hours, Japan is struggling to cope with the Quake Damage, hundreds of aftershocks ( 5.4-7.4 shocks,which are really large in size). In light of all of Japan's well designed improved infrastructure and prepared population, this disaster could have been much worse than it already is.There are whole towns and small islands that are still unaccounted for at this moment. Japan had sea walls and tide walls set up along the Coast to help mitigate the Tsunami effects, it shows that taking precautions may not prevent disaster,but might in the long run save some structures and some lives.

When a Nuclear Disaster compounds a Natural Disaster : Fukushima

Sadly Japan is a country that does rely heavily on nuclear power, 55 plants in the entire country. six in the hardest hit NE regions. Fukushima is the main nuke plant that was hardest hit by Quake and Tsunami, 5 reactors are of concern because they are overheating. Steam was vented. ( For many years scientists and energy experts have debated whether Nuclear Power Plants should be built on or near Faultlines and Coastlines due to risks of Quakes and Tsunami's. We are now watching a disaster unfold that is teaching us lessons regarding this situation ). 26 hours after the Quake/tsunami the first reactor exploded after it had overheated for hours, and even after steam had been vented. The issue is that if the coolant pipes were damaged and the coolant generators were damaged, then there was no circulating coolant. (Hillary Clinton had stated that America was sending coolant, but actually we were sending generators-whether any of that had reached the site is not known. Also whether the Plant still has functioning teams is another.)

The evacuation zone for Fukushima has been increased from 2 miles, to 6 miles, and now as of 35 hours, 12 miles ( Technically they should increase the evac zone to 20 miles, especially if the other 4 reactors are still out of control /and or overheating). Sadly with such tsunami devastation and quake damage, shelter may be limited. ( Evacuation has begun for 83,000 people, but the entire 20 mile radius for Fukushima is 290,000. Also most likely complicated due to lack of means to communicate and inform and the extensive power outages for millions). Iodine distribution has begun, it will be very important that these people are well hydrated and medically followed. Sadly since this large disaster is effecting power and water distribution, this situation is more than worrisome.....

( The bigger question is did the Plant have mechanisms in place to Emergency Shutdown the reactors if the backup generators failed ? I have more questions than answers regarding this nuclear nightmare....Anyone who has studied Chernobyl and 3 Mile know that this part of the disaster is more than critical to monitor at this time.)

Explosion of Reactor1 at Fukushima at 0630 GMT ( or approximately 3:30am EST, TEPCO did say that the ceilin collapsed first-the bigger question is did the floor also collapse, is the core in meltdown ? it was built 40 years ago-was it a double walled containment ?? )

(( CNN has been interviewing Janie Eudy on her husband's status in the Plant-her husband is one of the workers-not clear if he was injured or is suffering radiation poisoning. 3 are being treated for poisoning according to Japan Media-not confirmed by TEPCO....))

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Child and family being checked for exposure while being evacuated from Fukushima area.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Enigma note: I ended up via Twitter sharing some basic simple Radiation Research- mostly advice for some Teachers, NGO's and Media in Japan or on route to Japan. I am not a Doctor or an expert on nuclear materials. Due to past research and work I do have a fair amount of information regarding Cesium and Accidental Exposure, as well as Disaster research. I will add to this post as I find more helpful data. I am sharing it as cesium is not a normal substance that Our News media or journalists cover. 3.12.11 2PM.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Advice for Media and NGO's going to Japan

** If possible do have Geiger Pens with you to monitor exposure as well as Medical people that can help you notice any radiation symptoms or effects***~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~(1)1 Do get baseline History if possible ( Hct, Hgb, and Thyroid studies) Really important for those on thyroid therapy to be in good control. Anyone with open wounds or suffering any immune compromised illness should not go to site. Also if one has liver or kidney issues, or heart issues or is on medications for clotting issues or disorders, they too may not go to site.Heart History is also very important ( baseline) and Potassium history ( as cesium interacts with people on potassium ).

(2) Do not take vitamins that have metals ( boron, copper,iron ) while on site as these absorb cesium. ( If upon return physician want one to on meds or preparations that chelate or absorb cesium that is a different situation ). This includes altering diet as well, no iron rich vitamins. Physicians might want to treat prophylactically with Iodine Tablets, if they do treat, make sure medical history is taken as those with Iodine or Shellfish Allergy can not take Iodine prep. Again critical that Thyroid Function be assessed before trip.

(3) DO hydrate, drink much water before during and after work at site to flush system of any exposure. ( This is a critical issue, and difficult especially as the Disaster zone water will not be available and may be contaminated, so do bring water with you.)

(4) Clothing: Do wear protective clothing and gear. Do not wear absorbant clothing, do wear clothing that will protect you, sturdy boots, Teflon jackets and do wear hat and do wear sunscreen on exposed skin, as that can be protective. Do not wear fiber clothing that absorbs heat or water ( ie cotton or wool will also absorb radiation ). Do also wear solid boots, steel toed or soled if you have them, the thicker the sole the better. Do know that after leaving assignment you might have to have clothes disposed of. ( Do not wear items you are emotionally attached to).

(5) If one suffers wound at the site CRITICAL that medical attention is sought immediately. If possible make sure to flush injury thoroughly with uncontaminated water/fluids. When reaching medical facility do ask if they can or do treat Radiation Contamination Injuries. ( It is important to understand that in an Earthquake zone there is so much debris that injuries are likely). (( For Cesium Absorption injuries may be treated with application of boron, ferrocyanide or chelation with Prussian Blue may be needed). Many medical facilities that treat Oncology patients are also equipped to also treat radiation exposure or illnesses.

(6) Be aware getting accurate timely information regarding exposure may be difficult, as corporate interests do not always guarantee transparency on this issue. ( The existing Power company has spotty safety record regarding being honest with the public.) So be sure to be calm and insistent regarding asking for your symptoms to be treated. Fluids and Hydration are critical, and should be supplied immediately. ( IV Fluids if any nausea ).

(7) Radiation Symptoms include some of the following : Headaches, Weakness, Lightheartedness, Dizziness, Feeling Hot and Flushed ( yet skin maybe warm,sticky,even clammy and pale).Also palpitations, and chest pain. Nausea and vomiting. If there is any Bruising or skin tears. Also if there is any bleeding from nose, gums or mouth , there must be immediate medical attention sought. Actually if any of these symptoms occur or happen together or alone Medical Attention must be sought. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~